Glamour Gift Guide: 30 Under $30

Glamour Gift Guide: 30 Under $30

1) The bookworm

You know those librarian types who lend out their favorite reads and never get them back? Help her (or him!) stay organized with a personal library kit, complete with cute sign-out cards and date stamps.

2) The indie teen (or guy)

Don’t bother trying to pick out a new album for the hard-core music aficionado: Chances are he has it all, or wants you to think he does. Instead, appeal to his know-it-all status—and up your street cred—by giving him a limited-edition poster that features his favorite band.

Signed and numbered Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Calexico, Death Cab for Cutie and more posters by artist Jason Munn, $20 each, insound.com.

Photo: Amee Barychko

3) The dysfunctional family

Yes, it’s filled with freezing yummy stuff, but this ice-cream making ball is guaranteed to churn out at least one warm-and-fuzzy holiday memory.

4) The horticulturally challenged

While everyone likes a perky plant to brighten up a kitchen, desk or dorm room, sadly we’re not all born with a green thumb. Grobal’s self-watering flower pot keeps house plants lush, even in the hands of gardening dunces.

5) The grade-school BFF

I love Fox Mulder … I kissed Michael L. White 3 Times and Brian Kessler once. The party was so cool! … Dear Neil, I have never written to a celebrity before…

Ah, the eerily familiar tone of the lovesick teen. Your childhood pals/closet Gossip Girl watchers will love to get nostalgic about the best and worst parts of the teenage years with Cringe, a compendium of diaries, notes, poems and more from adolescent writers.

8) The hip new dad

For the Converse-, jeans- and iPod-wearing pop, Mother Goose books just don’t cut it. Give him Nevermind Your Ps + Qs Punk Alphabet Book to read to his little one. With lines like “H is for Hippies, peace and love everywhere, then punk came along and they cut off their hair,” story hour doesn’t get any cooler.

9) The cook or the coworker

Perfect for the beloved baker in your life, these heart-shaped measuring cups are a welcome addition to any kitchen. Or give the cups—along with homemade cookies—to office mates to help get them in the holiday spirit.

10) The boss

The all-knowing Magic 8 Ball makes a cool paperweight and will help “deciderers” make decisions more quickly. Just don’t blame us if Michael Scott types use it to help divvy up year-end bonuses. Outlook not good, indeed.

12) The eco/outdoor enthusiast

Real eco-warriors know that an aluminum water bottle is far superior to those splashy, non-biodegradable plastic versions. Go green this season by getting her a reusable, BPA-free container. It’s what Leo would do.

13) The diva

14) The stylist-in-training

Don’t let her practice her handiwork on your face until she’s got
the ultimate pro essentials. The set of five Sonia Kashuk brushes comes in a handy case that can double as a clutch. Because newbie makeup artists go out sometimes too!

15) The confusing teen (or guy)

Give these three wooden puzzles to the game player in your life, if for no other reason than to finally use the phrase “a puzzle wrapped in an enigma” in the card. It’s code for “I don’t know what the heck is going on with you, but I still heart you!”

16) The Santa’s elf

Only a Scrooge would tell cubicle-decorating, carol-singing, holiday-light-stringing pals to tone it down this season. Indulge and encourage their cheery outlook with cozy snowflake-patterned slippers.

19) The sugar-high kid

Enough with the video games and noise-making playthings. Take cues from Nicole Richie—who supposedly banned motorized toys from her daughter Harlow—and give the kiddos a DIY Balloon-Powered Vehicle Set. It’ll keep kids ages 6 and up (as well as the young at heart) entertained while you chill out with a hot toddy.

21) The Bergdorf baby

For the toddler who was born with a silver spoon in his mouth, there’s kid-safe Bulgari Petits et Mamans soap. Prepare the cameras: The animal-shaped soaps will turn bath time into a “baby’s first spa” event.

27) The artiste

28) The movie buff

Rare is the old-Hollywood fan who doesn’t live for Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Give retro queens the whimsical sleep mask Audrey Hepburn wore in the iconic film to slip on when their eyes aren’t glued to TCM.

29) The hostess with the mostest

Instead of the ol’ flowers, wine or candles routine, bring the holiday party hostess a Philosophy First Snow Kit. Complete with shiny lip gloss, glimmer lotion and bath gel, this is the one good-for-almost-everyone present that won’t be regifted.